Celebrities

I finally got the chance to try the new CoverGirl LiquilineBlast eyeliners in Green Glow and Violet Voltage, $7.99 each (above right). While they’re not as intensely pigmented as say, MAC Fluidline, $15, they are very colorful and easy to work with at half the price. I am especially in love with the Green Glow as it really shows up really well on my fair olive skin and has a pretty, shimmery sheen — great for a day-friendly pop of color. Each pencil also comes with a handy smudger tip, which I was able to watch Celebrity Makeup Artist Molly R. Stern use on “Parks & Recreation” star Rashida Jones (above left), just before the 2010 MTV Movie Awards last Sunday.

Molly did an awesome take on a smokey eye, using a rainbow of CG Smoky ShadowBlast shades like Citrus Flair (lime green/copper) and blending the green liner in at the inner eye corners. (more…)

Last week, I had the opportunity to sit down with Crest’s new ambassador Michelle Trachtenberg for lunch at one of New York’s top restaurants, Le Bernardin. A 30 minute chat with the Gossip Girl & Mercy star proved that Michelle certainly was one of the coolest chicas around. After lunch we were gifted a set of Crest’s new 3D White collection including white strips, toothbrush, toothpaste and mouth wash.  We’re still working on testing out the products so check back for a review shortly.  In the meantime, we were informed that other Michelle fans will have the opportunity to meet her and celebrate the new launch of Crest 3D white.  Click on the invite below for more details!

If you’re looking for your next spring scent, you’ll want to try the latest from Sarah Jessica Parker–SJP NYC. While SJP’s previous launches have been all about expressing herself, this one is actually inspired by her most famous character, Carrie Bradshaw! SJP NYC is a vibrant, sweet mix of fruit and floral notes that I thought were really great for spring. It’s sweet without being overwhelming, and I think the fruit notes really add a touch of freshness.

The bottle itself is simple glass, and it’s housed in a small pink canister covered with the patterns and prints inspired by Carrie’s closet. The scent and packaging are definitely very Carrie Bradshaw. SJP says that this fragrance is meant to evoke a sense of fun and whimsy. “It’s about mixing things up and breaking rules, all of the things I like about fashion,” she says. SJP NYC is $25-$49, depending on size, and is much more affordable than, say, the amazing Oscar de la Renta dress she’s wearing above. Keep reading for the note breakdown! (more…)

After a fun-filled week of Oscar events like the 7th Annual Global Green Pre-Oscar Party (attended by Jessica Alba, James Cameron, Benji and Joel Madden, Nicole Scherzinger, Serena Williams, and more celebs), I finally get to pick the brain of makeup artist to the stars Bruce Grayson, whose work we’ll be seeing all over our TV screens tomorrow at the Academy Awards.

As head makeup artist for the Oscars, Bruce is responsible for touching up every A-list mug in town before he or she goes onstage to present or backstage to accept an award. He has worked on Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Brooke Shields, Rosario Dawson, Kate Walsh, Denzel Washington, Sarah Silverman, Hayden Panettiere, Sarah Rue, the Clintons … the list goes on! (Fun fact: Bruce’s father, David Grayson, perfected the faces of Hollywood legends like Lauren Bacall and John Wayne.) Here, Bruce shares his red carpet predictions and his favorite get-glam-quick tips for special events:

The Daily Obsession: So, Bruce, what are the big trends we’ll be seeing on the red carpet this year?

Bruce Grayson: It’s always about picking the best feature, eyes or lips, and creating a glowing complexion, which makes up most of the face. Getting your skin in shape does the work for you. We’re going to see a more transparent smoky, sultry eye, not too much darkness around the eye, and more shades like slate gray, beige and brown … with a soft, pinky-coral lip, which makes lips look bigger. For red lips, we may see bright, matte, unique colors like the coral shade that January Jones wore to the Emmys.

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With Valentine’s Day in such close proximity to Presidents Day, why not celebrate love, life and happiness with a luxury getaway that’s fit for a president — or in this case, fit for 14 presidents? My husband and I were fortunate enough to check out a Signature Suite recently at the Old World French- and American Indian-inspired U.S. Grant Hotel — voted one of the 100 best hotels in the world — in downtown San Diego, Calif. And let me tell you, whether alone or with a sweetheart, this is one romantic place for glamour-lovers to steal away this weekend. Here’s why:

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Over the weekend, yours truly had the fortune of visiting Make Up For Ever’s station at the 2010 Grammy Style Studio in Hollywood, where Kesha, Adam Lambert, Keri Hilson and Colbie Caillat all stopped by for a little celebrity pampering (see below). Make Up For Ever makeup artist and regional educator David Hernandez went to town on my bare face, going for a bold red lip with a bright poppy orange center (created with Make Up For Ever Aqua Lip Waterproof Lipliner Pencils,$17 each). To compliment them, he did a clean eye with black Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes waterproof liner (also $17) on the bottom rim only. The finishing touch: false lashes, specifically Make Up For Ever Strip Lashes #14 ($15/pair), which were long and glamorous yet not too feathery or Cirque du Soleil-ish. (Tip: Snip off the outer edges for a wide-eyed look, and to save the “tips” for later use!)  I happily fluttered these babies all day long.

In other news, Make Up For Ever was busy promoting their bang-up makeup jobs on Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning and the rest of “The Runaways” cast. Unbelievably gorgeous colors transformed both famous faces to the point where I could barely recognize them! Check out the trailer for a quick preview.

Photos above courtesy of Jana Williams and Make Up For Ever.

It’s awards season, and with the Grammys and the Oscars around the corner, you know what that means — skin treatment specials galore!

Now I must confess, I love spas but I’m not a plastic surgery & medi-spa guru … at least not through firsthand experience. I’m still trying to stomach the idea of injecting a filler into my slowly hollowing face. Thankfully, I’ve been able to live vicariously through others by tagging along on their Botox visits, post-surgery checkups and laser treatments. And after visiting beautiful medi-spas all over L.A., I can tell you — if this magical courage were to come — where I would go: Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery, Inc., featuring the talented and very personable Dr. Gabriel Chiu.

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As a petite individual with what we like to call “a figure,” I have long maintained that skinny jeans only look good on skinny bodies. But (finally!), it appears you don’t have to be Lindsay Lohan or Angelina Jolie look good in skinny jeans — not if you have a pair of Zana Dis or Z Co.s.

Featured in Lucky and Allure (and on curvy gals like Jessica Simpson), Zana Di Jeansand Z Co. Jeans have made the “impossible” possible: Little women with curves can now wear skintight skinny jeans with confidence (and for less than $45 apiece). I’m so into them, I now have several pairs — from classic black to daring neon purple (keepin’ the trend alive for Spring 2010!) Best of all, I’ve had to alter exactly none to fit. (Hm, I guess miracles do happen.) Slide your hips into a pair at your local Macy’s junior section and say “zip zip hurray”!

Find Zana Di Jeans, $38, and Z Co. Jeans, $44, online at www.zanadi.com and www.zcojeans.com.

P.S. Here’s a handy size chart:

26 = 1; 27 = 3; 28 = 5; 29 = 7; 30 = 9; 31 = 11; and 32 = 13.

Julie Hewett has been been one of the foremost makeup artists working in Hollywood over the past 20 years. Her cult favorite Noir Collection of red lipsticks was specially designed on the set of the film Pearl Harbor when she needed long-lasting, pigmented shades. Julie has since designed an entire line of cosmetics called Julie Hewett Los Angeles that celebrities are obsessing over–and you will, too. One of my favorites, pictured above left, is the organic Camellia Balm. It’s so soothing for dry lips, and my lips always feel really supple after using. Camellia oil is said to be most similar to human skin oil, so it absorbs quickly. It also smells good and makes for a smooth base under lipstick or gloss.

The other standout product in Julie’s line is definitely the Cheekie. The Cheekie is also made with Camellia oil, and gives your cheeks or lips an instant flush. It’s pictured above right in a new shade called Destiny, which Julie made for Miley Cyrus (Miley’s real name: Destiny) on the set of the new Nicholas Sparks movie The Last Song. I love this shade as it adds a pretty, dusty pink glow to my cheeks instantly. The Cheekie comes in a pot and you can buy a brush to apply it with. I’ve been using my fingertips just as easily though, and I just love how naturally gorgeous it looks. On my lips, the consistency of the Cheekie was a bit more dry, so I used the Camellia Balm as a base. It added a perfect, neutral matte pink to my lips. Gotta love a multitasker! To check out Julie Hewett Los Angeles for yourself, visit juliehewett.net.

The Emmy Awards aired last night and is television’s celebration of its very best. Of course, we love to analyze the best of the red carpet fashion worn by the stars the morning after! Here are a few of our favorite looks in no particular order–keep reading for the scoop on who wore what, and share your thoughts with us too!

Up first is Olivia Wilde from House, looking stunning in a Marchesa gown straight from their SS 2010 presentation. The gown had layers of juniper embroidered tulle and petal pleats, with a revealing, yet delicate, bodice. She also carried a pretty Marchesa crystal embroidered clutch. We also loved Blake Lively, who looked glowing and sultry in a deep red Versace with a plunging neckline. Her hair was elegantly done in a goddess-esque braid by Renato Campora of Frederic Fekkai, and her makeup was flawless (Dior, of course). (more…)